gmail
I use the # key to delete emails in Gmail, but then I need to press Enter to get into the next conversation (Gmail automatically redirects to the inbox I was in previously).
This is probably pedantic and wishing for it means I deserve a medal for lethargy, but is there a way I can just hit # and the next email shows up (I think this is the way Yahoo mail works)?
It is now possible to label and/or "star" messages when you send them.
Official Gmail Blog: Star and label messages before you send them
When composing a new message, you can assign labels or star it by using the labels drop-down menu. As you’d expect, recipients of messages organized this way won’t see your labels or stars.
This is the new compose window:
Press the down arrow in the lower right, then choose "Label".
This is the old compose window:
You are correct. Muting a conversation archives it and any new emails that fall under the conversation (same subject) will skip the inbox and be archived.
I'm guessing you might be stuck on this next part though, as it seems to lessen the value of the feature itself.
Muting a conversation does not normally work if your email is in the To or Cc field. However, there is now a feature in Gmail Labs called Smart Mute that will keep a thread archived as long as your email address was not added to the To or Cc after you clicked Mute.
Best Answer
To make Gmail automatically open the next (or previous) message instead of going back to the message list:
Note: The new google doesn't have the option under the general tab anymore
Source.